Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-23

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to say not long ago that there were not enough
benches in the parks and often he WAS unable to
find a seat. He was told by some one who had
more experience that he ought get there early in
the evening! The stranger walking through the
parks would see that the supply OF benches was
not too great, and he would also notice that those
already there could be much smaller. 1t would
seem that the fashion is, when there are only two
occupants OF BENCH to occupy only one end the
result being that the other end looks very lonely
These Is as rule, plenty OF room for one or two
additional persons, but there seems to be an I'M
written law in park etiquette that frowns upon
any attempt to overload the park benches. The
right to occupy the whole or part OF the bench
seems to be recognized as belonging to those who
first take possession. and there Is seldom any QueS
ton OF trespass arising.
THE SUPPLY OF BENCHES,
as h1nted does not appear to be sufficient to meet
the demand, yet as rule those located directly
under gaslight are generally vacant, as in the
case with the ones along much frequented walk.
Quiet and retirement seems to be the conditions
which those who frequent the parks on a summer
evening desire the most. AS the solitary pedeS-
TRAN passes along he hears only low tones and the
gentle murmurS OF laughter from the benches.
The shrubbery on each side throws deep shadow
ana the moonlight falls in patches on the grav-
the fresh odos of the trees and flowers mingies its
murinurs with the quiet sibilattons from the
benches and diffuses an atmosphere Of peace and
rest. A walk In the parks is therefore refreshing
after warm day, whether you go as lonely pc
destrian or in the company Of some nice girl.
=. Some people say that 1t is not proper to sit in
the parks, that 1t betrayS common taste; but
such people are wanting in the eSthettc part OF
their nature, and they have no appreciation OF rO
about the city some summer evening they would
see good deal OF society scattered about in the
parks. 1t may be vulgar, but at the same time it
is comfortable and pleasant, and the latter con-
sideration appeals strongly to people during the
hot weather.
THE FRONT DOORSTEP.
There is another popular way OF spending the
hot evenings, which is very general, and that Is
on fhn 1nrrc t. fbaf
stitute the reception room OF the house, and COM
Portable cushions and chairs combined with the
cool air, make it a much more attractive place
than the most elegant parIOr. Here may be found
the entire household, and hither comes the young
man who wants to inquire about the health OF the
father or mother, and incidentally have chat
gradually, either to the accustomed chair in the
back parlOr or to bed, the house Qulets down, and
tine "a tm That he thinks that Is get
tied to the satisfaction Of both parties II really Is
late, and the young man, after number of false
watchInen begins to make his rounds. The young
man would leave earlier, only he Is entranced by
The quiet beauty OF the scene which is fully equal
TO any mountain scenery, or even to the mOOnl1t
view OF the ocean. He Will tell you so himself. The
beauty OF nature in the city can only be fully ap-
preclated under such circumstances.
ON THE RIVER.
There are other lovers OF nature who find
ride up the river in rowboat a very delightful
experience after warm day, and every evening
the lighthouses are crowded with pleasure-seek-
ers. There are boats for only two and boats that
VIII hold dozen, and they all push off from the
wharyes In the early twilight and come floating
back in the moonlight. The heavily wooded banks
on each side OF the river echo the gay laughter
from the water, adding another touch to the senti-
ment or the river on moonlight evening In sum
mer. There Is malaria up the river, SO the anX-
the young people, who point to their glowing faces
and sparkling eyes when they return an EVIL
dence OF the healthfuiness OF the river. The
landings are very attractive and the parties who
frequent them enjoy the lunch which is brought
along, as well as the other features OF an evening
on the Upper Potomac. Perhaps it is trfe more
prosatc. but an excursion down the river on some
one OF the steamers has its pleasures There may
be crowd on board but there are people who can
pie feel interested in each other there is nothing
short Of the sinking OF the vessel that disturb
the calm serenity OF the enjoyment OF each others
society,". Sometimes, out OF consideration for
others, they seek the partial seclusiOn which the
narrow space In front OF the plot-house affords,
and there are no people who are more emphatic
that they had "a perfectly lovely time" The
older people have just as good an opportunity to
gossip as II they were attending reception at an
afternoon tea, and so there seems to be nothing
lacking TO make an excursion great social sue
cess
SOCIETY IN SUMNER.
It Is great mistake to suppose that everything
in social way in the city comes to stop as soon
us the warm weather sets In. Society, IN fact is
never so active. There may be some people out OF
Jne CITY, lOr tnOS6 VINO remain at home. either
for the whole or portion OF the season. there is
always something Of interest going on. Whenever
everything else falls there Is the stroll to the ice
cream saloon and every young man knows what
delightful episodes such events are. There is
something about eating ice cream that brings
people together on more intimate terms, and It
such point that two people would he perfectly
willing y cali for the proverbial plate OF cream
taInnIatOry about ice cream. 1t causes no quar-
rels. 1t does not heat the blood, except. perhaps,
fore taking into consideration the true condition
Of his pocketbook. Such situation has it's en-
barrassments When the results Of a summer
campaign i'll the city is compared with one at any
Of the resorts, the superiority OF the former is
easily established. There are no results from the
one, While the other furnishes a rich harvest Of
marriages, because that Is the point toward Which
al moonlight walks and sails and drives ultimately
tend.
HOW MAIDEN RESOLUTIONS ARE BROKEN
That is not the avowed purpose of course for. II
you should ask three quarters OF the girls you
meet II they intended to get married some time
they would tell you very emphattcally that they
had no such intention, and much preferred to live
large proportion OF girls who marry have decided
many times in their lives that nothing would in
duce them to enter that state: But after while
along, and she goes out to walk or drive with him
and then, when she is softened by the moonlight,
soul and relaxes her resolution, he Dersuades her
TO pity him In his lonely desOate fe and she does
That She loves him Then she thinks that she
might as well get married as not, II for no other
reason than TO get rid of him, and so it goes on.
You don't have to go to what are known as the
romantic places Of nature to witness these little
dramas in their various stages. There Is hardly
bench in the parks where the play is not already
in progress. You can see the actors on the door
steps as you pass along the Streets on the river
boats, or, perhaps, driving through the beautiful
roads all around the city. The city Is full of them
and II there is any doubt the subject it win In
all probability be dispeled during the fail months
when you are hurryinG around buying wedding
presents.
Waiting.